One Mile Beach (NSW 198) trends south-southeast from Bennetts Head for 1.3 km to a prominent southern headland. The beach is backed by a vegetated foredune apart from a sand blow at the north end, with a golf course in the centre and residential development at both ends. Parking and picnic areas are provided at Collendina Reserve in the centre and Palmgrove Park in the south next to the Cape Hawke SLSC (Fig. 4.112 & 4.113). The spread of Forster into this area and the increasing popularity of the beach led to the establishment of the surf club in 1979. Cape Hawke extends for 4 km to the southeast and provides some protection from southeast waves, with waves increasing from 1 m in the south to 1.5 m in the north. These maintain a single bar the usually cut by 3-4 shifting beach rips and permanent rips against both headlands.
A popular but potentially hazardous location owing to the prominent and persistent rips. Best in the south between the flags. If elsewhere stay on the bar if attached and watch for rip holes and side currents.
